Mobile RFID reader with integrated location awareness for material tracking and management

ABSTRACT

A portable RFID reader (or reader/writer) that also employs a location determination subsystem that facilitates determination of the reader (or reader/writer) location. The location subsystem can employ a satellite-based GPS (Global Positioning System) location technology where such signals are unimpeded by structures. Additionally, the location subsystem can employ other terrestrial location technologies that operate inside structures such as warehouses and the factory automation environment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is related to RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)technology, and more specifically, to RFID readers that sense RFID tags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In today's highly sophisticated, complex and intelligent industrialautomation systems, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology isbecoming an increasingly important presence for logistics concerns,material handling and inventory management. Simply knowing that anobject exists in a large warehouse is no longer sufficient. Whenimplementing an RFID solution in a distribution center or a factory, itis customary to utilize three distinct platforms: an RFID reader/antenna(e.g., a fixed implementation), RFID “middleware” software running on astandard PC (Personal Computer), and an industrial controller (e.g., aPLC-Programmable Logic Controller). A traditional communicationsapproach is to have the RFID reader connect to the controller via anetwork using, for example, RS-232 serial communications, Ethernet, orany of the field buses such as DeviceNet, ControlNet, etc.

The value to a company in knowing the location of the reader can be usedto improve manufacturing and distribution efficiency, which translatesto a more effective competitive presence in the marketplace. Inconventional RFID implementations, the physical location of the RFIDreader is usually provided by the human operator, or readers are fixedat known locations such that RFID-tagged material that passes withinrange of the reader can be read and its location determined based on thelocation of the reader. However, given the rapid technological advancesin portable handheld communications devices (e.g., cell phones andPDAs), customers are demanding such portability in RFID readers.

When a mobile RFID reader is utilized for reading RFID tags on objectsin a distribution center or a factory, a computer that captures the datafrom such a reader is utilized to relate the data to the known readerlocation for determining the approximate location of the tagged object.However, the small and portable RFID reader can now be a mobile handhelddevice, and also mounted on forklift trucks, AGVs (Automated GuidedVehicles) and/or LGVs (Laser Guided Vehicles), and other mobile means ina warehouse or a factory further exacerbating the difficulty indetermining the reader location at a given point in time. Accordingly,there is an unmet need in the art for an improved mobile reader locationdetermination mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to themore detailed description that is presented later.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,comprises a portable or mobile RFID reader (or RFID reader/writer) thatalso employs a location determination subsystem that facilitatesdetermination of the reader (or reader/writer) location, from which thenthe location of an object or pallet can be determined for material flowand tracking. The location subsystem can employ a satellite-based GPS(Global Positioning System) location technology where such signals areunimpeded by structures, etc. Additionally, the location subsystem canemploy other terrestrial location technologies that operate insidestructures such as warehouses and the factory automation environment.

In another aspect of the invention, data provided by the mobile readercan be used in combination with data of a PLC (programmable logiccontroller) to more accurately determine location for material flow andtracking.

In yet another aspect thereof, an artificial intelligence component isprovided that employs a probabilistic and/or statistical-based analysisto prognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automaticallyperformed.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connectionwith the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspectsare indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention can be employed and the subject invention isintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description of the invention when considered inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an RFID component that employs a location subsystemthat facilitates location determination in accordance with the subjectinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an RFID component that employs a multiple types oflocation subsystems that facilitate location determination in accordancewith the subject invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a methodology of employing a location subsystem in anRFID reader in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a methodology of utilizing both GPS and an internallocation subsystem as location mechanisms in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a data packet that includes location data inaccordance with the invention.

FIG; 6 illustrates a system that includes triangulation and/or signalstrength system for location determination in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a system that employs filtering in accordance withthe invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a methodology of filtering RFID tag data based onlocation of interest in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a methodology of filtering RFID tag data based on anaisle of interest, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system that employs artificial intelligence (AI)which facilitates automating one or more features in accordance with thesubject invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system that employs multiple readers and an AIcomponent in accordance with the subject invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a computer operable to executethe disclosed architecture.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an RFID reader/writer inaccordance with the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the subject invention. It may be evident, however, thatthe invention can be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to facilitate describing the invention.

As used in this application, the terms “component” and “system” areintended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, acombination of hardware and software, software, or software inexecution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to being,a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable,a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way ofillustration, both an application running on a server and the server canbe a component. One or more components can reside within a processand/or thread of execution, and a component can be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers.

As used herein, the term to “infer” or “inference” refer generally tothe process of reasoning about or inferring states of the system,environment, and/or user from a set of observations as captured viaevents and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a specificcontext or action, or can generate a probability distribution overstates, for example. The inference can be probabilistic—that is, thecomputation of a probability distribution over states of interest basedon a consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer totechniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set ofevents and/or data. Such inference results in the construction of newevents or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored eventdata, whether or not the events are correlated in close temporalproximity, and whether the events and data come from one or severalevent and data sources.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an RFIDcomponent 100 that employs a location subsystem 102 that facilitateslocation determination in accordance with the subject invention. TheRFID component 100 can be an mobile RFID reader (or a reader/writer)that reads RFID tags (or reads data from and writes data thereto) of anobject (e.g., a pallet). The RFID component 100 includes a locationsubsystem 102 that facilitates processing location information receivedin cooperation with a remote location system 104. In one implementation,the location system 104 is a satellite-based GPS (global positioningsystem) technology. For example, when the component 100 performs a readof an RFID tag, it also initiates a read of location data from thelocation system 104 via the location subsystem 102. The RFID reader canthen transmit the location coordinates with the RFID data on every read.Thereafter, the RFID tag data and the location data are transmitted forprocessing, to a programmable logic controller (PLC), for example.Automated material tracking software can then store the locationinformation with the object identifier in a database for material flowand tracking, for example.

Location awareness can be embedded in the RFID reader through multiplemeans. One method is to connect the reader to a conventional, wirelessWi-Fi network utilizing a IEEE 802.11b protocol. In such a network,schemes exist for localizing a node utilizing signal strengths ortriangulation. There are also other methods for location determinationsuch as WhereNet™, which is utilized in automotive applications.Essentially, any type location determination method can be integrated ordesigned with the RFID reader to provide location awareness.

Location awareness also facilitates filtering the data read by the RFIDreader, since a controller and/or a database can exist that can furtherrelate the physical location to the type of objects and associated tags.A location-aware mobile RFID reader has numerous applications such asautomatic scanning of warehouse shelves and cataloging the products onthe shelves, automatic scanning of a distribution center and updating ofinventory by location, automatic scanning of retail shelves to updateinventory, etc.

In another implementation, the location subsystem 102 and RFID component100 are fabricated as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).This further reduces the size of a mobile reader, for example, therebypromoting placement of the reader not only in the hands of users, butalso on machines that move through a warehouse, or up and down aisles.

The RFID component 100 can also write the location data to the RFID tagsuch that the tag stores historical data as to where the associatedobject has been in the warehouse or during the assembly process, forexample.

FIG. 2 illustrates an RFID component 200 that employs a multiple typesof location subsystems that facilitate location determination inaccordance with the subject invention. The RFID component 200 can be anmobile RFID reader or reader/writer that reads RFID tags. The RFIDcomponent 200 includes a location subsystem 202 for locationdetermination. Here, the location subsystem 202 includes a GPS subsystem204 that accommodates GPS signals from a GPS (or outdoor) locationsystem 206, and terrestrial subsystem 208 that facilitates processingindoor location information received in cooperation with a remote indoorterrestrial location system 210.

When the component 200 senses an RFID tag, it also initiates a read oflocation data from the either or both of the GPS location system 206or/and the terrestrial location system 210. The RFID reader can thentransmit the location coordinates with the RFID data on every read orevery other read, or according to some other methodology, as desired.Thereafter, the RFID data and the location data are transmitted forprocessing. For example, automated material tracking software can thenstore the location information with the object identifier in a databasefor material flow and tracking.

When employing both location subsystems (204 and 208) in the RFIDcomponent 200, one or both subsystems can be employed. For example, ifthe user were to walk among tagged objects outside a warehouse, the GPSsubsystem will operate to communicate GPS location coordinates(latitude/longitude or “lat/long” data) with the tag data. It is to beappreciated that the terrestrial system 210 is a triangulation system orsignal strength system that is also deployed for outside RFID objecttracking such that the terrestrial subsystem 208 operates to determinelocation information in a format that is different than GPS coordinates,and that is also transmitted with the RFID tag data.

FIG. 3 illustrates a methodology of employing a location subsystem in anRFID reader in accordance with the invention. While, for purposes ofsimplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein,e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shown and described as a seriesof acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subjectinvention is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, inaccordance with the invention, occur in a different order and/orconcurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. Forexample, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that amethodology could alternatively be represented as a series ofinterrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, notall illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology inaccordance with the invention.

At 300 an RFID reader is received. At 302, a location subsystem isintegrated into the reader. At 304, the reader reads an RFID tag of anobject. At 306, location data related to the location of the reader isdetermined using the location subsystem. At 308, the location data istransmitted for the reader with the RFID data. At 310, the location datais processed to determine the location of the tagged objects. At 312,the objects are then managed, which can include updating a database orinventory records as to the current location of the associated objects(e.g., products and pallets).

FIG. 4 illustrates a methodology of utilizing both GPS and an internallocation subsystems as location mechanisms in accordance with theinvention. At 400, a mobile RFID reader is received with an integratedlocation subsystem that can process GPS signals and inside (alsoreferred to as the terrestrial location system) location signals. At402, the reader is moved outside in view of a satellite-based GPSgeographic location system. At 404, the GPS subsystem of the mobilereader automatically receives and processes the GPS signals. At 406, theGPS lat/long data and the RFID tag data are transmitted to a remotelocation for processing. At 408, the user carries the reader inside astructure thereby prohibiting the use of the GPS location system andreads an RFID tag of an object. At 410, the inside location subsystem ofthe mobile reader is enabled to automatically receive and processlocation information. The handoff between the GPS location subsystem andthe inside location subsystem can occur based on the GPS subsystem notreceiving GPS signals. If no GPS signals are received, the readerautomatically defaults to the inside location subsystem for locationdata. At 412, the reader then transmits the location data and the RFIDdata for processing.

In one alternative implementation, the location data associated with theterrestrial location subsystem is determined by the remote terrestriallocation system, and not by the mobile reader. Once the tag is read, atrigger signal can be sent that automatically passes the associatedlocation data to a data base for association with the tag data.Alternatively, again, the tag data is transmitted to the remoteterrestrial location system and associated there for subsequenttransmission to a database.

FIG. 5 illustrates a data packet 500 that includes location data inaccordance with the invention. The packet 500 includes a packetidentifier 502 that uniquely identifiers that packets among a pluralityof the other data packets. For example, the identifier can be associatedwith the mobile reader such that only packets transmitted therefrom havethe identifier data 502. The packet 500 can also include some check bits504 that are used for error correction (e.g., cyclic redundancycheck-CRC). Location data 506 is included that represents theapproximate location of the reader when the read operation wasperformed. The packet 500 can also include tag data 508 of the RFID tagthat was read. This can comprise environmental data (e.g., temperature,humidity, pressure, . . . ) received from one or more sensors and objectdata of the product to which the tag is associated, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a system 600 that includestriangulation and/or signal strength system for location determinationin accordance with the invention. The system 600 includes a network 602on which is disposed a triangulation location system 604 and/or a signalstrength location system 606. The triangulation system 604 can furtherinclude at least two wireless transceivers (not shown) that receivereader signals from an RFID reader 608, process the reader signalshaving the same identifier data, and determine an approximate locationof the reader 608 relative to a floor plan of a building (e.g.,warehouse, distribution center, . . . ). The location data can then becommunicated back to the reader 608 for processing by a reader locationsubsystem 612 and transmission with the tag data to a data store 610.The location data can also be transmitted from the mobile reader to aPLC 614 and therefrom to the data store 610. Alternatively, the locationdata can be communicated from the triangulation system 604 to the datastore 610 and combined with the tag data at the data store 610.

In an alternative location system implementation, the signal strengthlocation system 606 processes signals from the reader 608 to approximatethe reader location based on signal strength. The location data can thenbe communicated back to the reader 608 for processing by the readerlocation subsystem 612 and transmission with the tag data to a datastore 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates a system 700 that employs filtering in accordancewith the invention. When a reader 702 reads RFID tags, a read signal isbroadcast from the reader 702 that energizes and/or causes to bereceived RFID tag data from all tags in a given range thereof. Thus, thereader 702 can receive data from a large number of tags for which datais not desired. Not only does this impose additional processingrequirements on the reader 702, but it can also negatively impactnetwork bandwidth between the reader and a remote system. As a means ofaddressing this problem, the reader 702 includes a location subsystem704 that interacts with a remote location system 706 (e.g., GPS,triangulation, signal strength, . . . ) to provide location datarepresentative of the location of the reader 702, and a filter component708 that interfaces to the reader 702 and processes the RFID tag dataand the location data to filter out tag signals that are unwanted. Notethat the filter component 708 can also be made internal to the reader702.

The system can also include a network 710 on which is disposed a datastore 712 that stores at least tag data, reader data, and location data.A controller 714 (e.g., a PLC) can also be disposed on the network 710in control of an automated process such as moving product down anassembly line. A transceiver 716 provides wireless networkcommunications between the network 710 and the reader 702 such thatlocation data and tag data can be communicated to the data store 712and/or the controller 714.

Illustrated are objects 718 (denoted OBJECT₁, OBJECT₂, and OBJECT₃) andassociated RFID tags (denoted RFID TAG₁, RFID TAG₂, and RFID TAG₃) inrespective locations (LOCATION A, LOCATION B, AND LOCATION C). The userdesires to read a tag 720 of a first object 722 in Location A, yetreceives in addition thereto data from a second tag 724 of a secondobject 726 in Location B and a third tag 728 of a third object 730 in aLocation C. The location system 706 facilitates determination oflocation data of the reader 702 such that in this example, the user isdetermined to be closer to Location A.

It can already be known from prior tag scans and/or user inputinformation, for example, that the first object 722 is associated withLocation A, the second object 726 is associated with Location B, and thethird object 730 is associated with Location C. Accordingly, any othertag data received by the reader 702 indicating that the tag (724 and728) is associated with an object that is not in Location A can befiltered without further processing. Similarly, as the user moves themobile reader that contains the RFID component 702 closer to Location B,the tag data that is received from object tags in Location A andLocation C can be filtered out from further consideration.

FIG. 8 illustrates a methodology of filtering RFID tag data based onlocation of interest in accordance with the invention. At 800, a mobileRFID reader is provided with an internal location subsystem. At 802, theuser initiates a read of RFID tags at a first area of interest. At 804,the reader receives tag data in the area of interest and tag data fromoutside the area of interest. At 806, the reader location data isdetermined using the internal location subsystem. At 808, tag data fromthe outside areas of interest is filtered out based on location data. At810, tag data is processed from the area of interest.

FIG. 9 illustrates a methodology of filtering RFID tag data based on anaisle of interest, in accordance with the invention. At 900, the mobilereader and internal location subsystem is provided. At 902, a readoperation is initiated at an aisle of a store or warehouse, for example.At 904, the reader receives tag data from tags in the existing aisle ofinterest, tag data from tags outside the aisle of interest, and locationdata. At 906, the tag data from outside the aisle of interest isfiltered out based on the location data associated with the reader. At908, the location data is transmitted to a database to determine theassociated aisle. At 910, the database is updated with tagged items,location data, and aisle data.

It is noted that the location information of the mobile reader need notbe the sole means by which material flow and tracking can be determined.For example, the mobile RFD reader can transmit information to the PLC,which PLC then uses its information in combination with the reader datato determine material location. If, for example, the PLC interfaces to abar code scanner (a fixed device at a known location), it is then knownwhere the material is (e.g., a pallet), when the bar code is scanned.Additionally, when the mobile RFID reader subsequently transmits dataabout the pallet which it read, and its location to the PLC (relative tothere mobile reader, since it just read one or more tags), the PLC canthen confirm that this is the same pallet it processed just previously.This helps validate the location of the pallet or object.

A pallet (or material), for example, typically follows a sequentialmovement or known path through a distribution center. Additionally, aPLC is fixed, as is a bar code reader that interface to the PLC. Thus,if the mobile RFID reader reads the material, and transmits the readerlocation to the PLC (e.g., “the pallet was read in Zone 22), the PLC canprecisely know which pallet it is, and know exactly where it is in Zone22 based on the information the PLC had from a bar code read, etc. ThePLC can have additional information about location of the pallet orobject based on prior reads. This information can be combined with thelocation information provided by the reader with its own internalknowledge of the location to better determine exactly where the palletor object is, or can initiate diagnostics that indicates this is thewrong pallet or object.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system 1000 that employs artificial intelligence(AI) which facilitates automating one or more features in accordancewith the subject invention. Here, an RFID reader 1002 includes alocation subsystem 1004 and an AI component 1006. The location subsystem1004 interacts with a remote location system 1008 that together,facilitate determination of location data of the reader 1002.

The subject invention can employ various AI-based schemes for carryingout various aspects thereof. For example, a process for determining whattag data is consider to outside an area of interest can be facilitatedvia an automatic classifier system and process.

A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1,x2, x3, x4, xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, thatis, f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ aprobabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring intothe analysis utilities and costs) to prognose or infer an action that auser desires to be automatically performed.

A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifier that can beemployed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in the space ofpossible inputs, which hypersurface attempts to split the triggeringcriteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes theclassification correct for testing data that is near, but not identicalto training data. Other directed and undirected model classificationapproaches include, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decisiontrees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilisticclassification models providing different patterns of independence canbe employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive ofstatistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated from the subject specification, thesubject invention can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained(e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g.,via observing user behavior, receiving extrinsic information). Forexample, SVM's are configured via a learning or training phase within aclassifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, theclassifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a number offunctions, including but not limited to determining according to apredetermined criteria what RFID tagged objects are or should beassociated with a given location. For example, if over a period of time,the mobile reader 1002 routinely senses an object type in a certainarea, the AI component 1006 will learn that, unless otherwiseinstructed, the object type will be expected to be in that area duringread operations in the future.

In another example, where a given user is assigned to scan certain areason routine basis, the AI component 1006 can learn that the user willroutinely take a certain route to scanning the area, and operateaccordingly by, for example, cause the caching of object and/or tag data(e.g., at the reader 1002 and/or a remote database) in preparation forupdating and/or interacting with data normally associated with the area.

In yet another example, when the RFID component 1002 reads an RFID tag,instead of automatically transmitting location data and the tag dataright away, the AI component 1006 can facilitate storing sets oflocation and tag data locally in memory, and then transmitting sets orblocks of the location and tag data when desired. This blocktransmission can be according to parameters related to network usage,time of day, location of read, importance of the objects needing to belocated, and many other parameters as desired for the particularapplication.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system 1100 that employs multiple readers 1102 andan AI component 1104 in accordance with the subject invention. The AIcomponent 1004 can be located external to the reader 1002, such as partof a network 1106 that includes a remote database system 1108 (e.g., adatabase management system (DBMS) and an associated data store 1110).The AI component 1104 can interface to the database system 1108 as anexternal component or be an internal component thereof. The databasesystem 1108 stores at least location data, tag data, and object data forall objects of a location.

In this example implementation, a first mobile reader 1112 (denoted RFIDREADER₁) includes a first location subsystem 1114 (denoted LOCATIONSUBSYSTEM₁), a second mobile reader 1116 (denoted RFID READER₂) includesa second location subsystem 1118 (denoted LOCATION SUBSYSTEM₂), and athird mobile reader 1120 (denoted RFID READER₃) includes a thirdlocation subsystem 1122 (denoted LOCATION SUBSYSTEM₃), each of which cancommunicate with a remote location system 1124 that facilitatesdetermining location data of the readers (1112, 1116 and 1120) using GPSand/or a indoor location technology, for example. Note that the remotelocation system 1124 can also be disposed as a node on the network 1106.

Each of the readers (1112, 1116 and 1120) also communicates wirelesslywith the network 1106 and any network services via a transceiver system1126 such that reader data can be downloaded to the database system 1108and uploaded therefrom, as desired. The database system 1108 can includematerial tracking software and other applications related to materialhandling and logistics, for example.

When multiple readers (e.g., 1112, 1116 and 1120) are employed andcommunicating data and signals to the network 1106, the AI component1104 can be utilized to monitor packet traffic and manage data cachingin memory of the database system 1108 according to, for example, themost active readers at a given time. The AI component 1104 can also beemployed to compute location parameters associated with one or more ofthe readers (1112, 1116 and 1120) based on criteria described supra. Forexample, in an implementation where a reader is mobile by way of amachine, each of the readers (1112, 1116 and 1120) can be configuredseparately over aisles of tagged objects such that as the reader movesdown an overhead rail system (e.g., in a warehouse). Here, linearmovement of the reader down the rail can occur under control of the AIcomponent 1104 at a speed based on, for example, the processingcapability of the database system 1108, the reader itself, and networktraffic.

In another example, data handling and processing of the system 1100 canbe based on the importance of scanning certain objects. If the databasesystem 1108 has tagged certain types of objects as high priority, thenwhen the reader (e.g., reader 1112) enters the location of the objects,or where the objects are expected to be, the location data can beemployed as a trigger that reading thereof now takes a higher priorityover other objects whose tag data may also be received.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer operable to execute the disclosed AI component 1104 and datasetsystem 1108 of the subject invention. In order to provide additionalcontext for various aspects of the subject invention, FIG. 12 and thefollowing discussion are intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of a suitable computing environment 1200 in which thevarious aspects of the invention can be implemented. While the inventionhas been described above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that may run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the invention also can be implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the invention may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

A computer typically includes a variety of computer-readable media.Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby the computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital videodisk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetictape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to store the desired information andwhich can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

With reference again to FIG. 12, the exemplary computing environment1200 for implementing various aspects of the invention includes acomputer 1202, the computer 1202 including a processing unit 1204, asystem memory 1206 and a system bus 1208. The system bus 1208 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 1206to the processing unit 1204. The processing unit 1204 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multi-processor architectures may also be employed as theprocessing unit 1204.

The system bus 1208 can be any of several types of bus structure thatmay further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1206includes read only memory (ROM) 1210 and random access memory (RAM)1212. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1210 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1202, such as during start-up. The RAM 1212 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1202 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1214 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1214 may also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1216, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1218) and an optical disk drive 1220, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1222 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1214, magnetic diskdrive 1216 and optical disk drive 1220 can be connected to the systembus 1208 by a hard disk drive interface 1224, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1226 and an optical drive interface 1228, respectively. Theinterface 1224 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject invention.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1202, the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as zipdrives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment, andfurther, that any such media may contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the invention.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1212,including an operating system 1230, one or more application programs1232, other program modules 1234 and program data 1236. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1212. It is appreciated that the invention can beimplemented with various commercially available operating systems orcombinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1202 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1238 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1240. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1204 through an input deviceinterface 1242 that is coupled to the system bus 1208, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1244 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1208 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1246. Inaddition to the monitor 1244, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1202 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1248. The remotecomputer(s) 1248 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer1202, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device1250 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted includewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1252 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1254. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices, and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich may connect to a global communication network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1202 isconnected to the local network 1252 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1256. The adaptor 1256 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1252, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adaptor 1256.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1202 can includea modem 1258, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1254, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1254, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1258, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1208 via the serial port interface 1242. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1202, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1250. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 1202 is operable to communicate with any wireless devicesor entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11(a, b,g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet).Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, atan 11 Mbps (802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example, orwith products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an RFID reader/writer device 1300in accordance with the subject invention. The device 1300 includes aprocessor 1302 that manages all onboard processes and executesinstructions of one or more applications 1304 that facilitate RFID tagreading and writing, location data processing, and any data and signalprocessing required for operation thereof. A display 1306 is providedthat allows a user to view data and information, and input commands orinstructions for operation of the device 1300. A memory 1308 is providedfor data storage, program storage, and execution, and can includevolatile and/or non-volatile memory architectures (e.g., RAM, DRAM, ROM,EEPROM, and flash). A user interface block 1310 provides electrical,mechanical and software interface capabilities such as keypad, voiceactivation via a microphone, touch screen, trackball, mouse, and peninputs, for example, for user interaction with the device 1300.

The device 1300 includes RF capabilities supported by an antenna 1312, atransceiver subsystem 1314 for transmitting and receiving data andsignals in one of or both an analog and digital format, and as datapackets. The transceiver subsystem 1314 interfaces to a matching networkblock 1316 that provides the circuits and logic in support of RFcommunications to both active and passive RFID transponders, and digitalcommunications therebetween, and to IP networks, for example. A triggersand indicators block 1318 provides and supports indicators and outputssuch as audio devices and signals (e.g., speaker, beeps, tones), visualdevices and signals (e.g., LED's, colors) and other types of outputs.Additionally, triggers can be provided to the processor 1302 based oninternal hardware and/or software events that occur in the device 1300.A CODEC 1320 interfaces to the processor 1302 to facilitate coding anddecoding operations on data and signals, where needed.

A location subsystem 1322 facilitates location determination of thedevice 1300 in accordance with the invention, anywhere inside a buildingor structure, as well as outside using GPS, for example. An I/O portsblock 1324 provided hardware interfaces to the device 1300 such as byUSB (universal serial bus) technology, IEEE 1394 technology, or otherconventional communications technologies (e.g., infrared, BlueTooth,Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, . . . ). A power source/interface block 1326 facilitatesstandalone power (e.g., batteries and/or fuel cells) or external powerto the device 1300 and all onboard components and subsystems via a powerconverter, for example.

What has been described above includes examples of the invention. It is,of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination ofcomponents or methodologies for purposes of describing the subjectinvention, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that manyfurther combinations and permutations of the invention are possible.Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising: an RFIDcomponent that senses an RFID tag associated with an object; and alocation component integral to the RFID component that facilitatesdetermination of a location of the RFID component.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the location component utilizes at least one oftriangulation technology and signal strength technology to determine thelocation of the RFID component.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein thelocation component utilizes GPS (global positioning system) technologyto determine the location of the RFID component.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein the location component generates location data that istransmitted from the reader with RFID data.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein location data associated with the location is used for objectflow and tracking.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID componentis one of a mobile reader and a mobile reader/writer.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the mobile reader is one of a handheld portable readerand a mechanically motivated reader.
 8. The system of claim 1, whereindata representative of the location is transmitted to a PLC(programmable logic controller) and utilized in combination with PLCdata to determine location of material.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein PLC data includes bar code data.
 10. The system of claim 1,further comprising an artificial intelligence (AI) component thatemploys a probabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis to prognose orinfer an action that a user desires to be automatically performed.
 11. Acomputer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executableinstructions for carrying out the system of claim
 1. 12. A handheldportable RFID reader that employs the system of claim
 1. 13. An RFIDsystem, comprising: a mobile RFID reader that reads an RFID tagassociated with an object; and a location component as part of the RFIDreader that facilitates determination of location data of a location ofthe mobile RFID reader.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the locationcomponent utilizes at least one of triangulation technology and signalstrength technology to determine the location data of the RFID reader.15. The system of claim 13, wherein the location component interfaceswith a remote GPS technology to determine the GPS location data of theRFID reader, which GPS location data is transmitted from the RFID readerwith RFID tag data.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the locationcomponent includes both a GPS location subsystem that receives andprocesses GPS location data and an inside location subsystem thatinterfaces to remote location system which operates inside a structure.17. The system of claim 13, further comprising a filter component thatfilters received RFID tag data according to the location data.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the location data resides in at least one ofa database and the RFID reader.
 19. The system of claim 13, furthercomprising an AI component as part of the RFID reader that employs aprobabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis to prognose or infer anaction that a user desires to be automatically performed.
 20. The systemof claim 13, wherein the RFID reader interfaces to a remote databasesystem that employs an AI component facilitates probabilistic and/orstatistical-based analysis to prognose or infer an action that a userdesires to be automatically performed.
 21. The system of claim 13,wherein the location data is also representative of material location,and which location data is processed with bar code data to determine amore accurate material location.
 22. A method of determining location ofa portable RFID reader, comprising: receiving a portable reading devicethat performs at least one of reading from and writing to an RFID tag ofan object; and providing a location subsystem as part of the portablereading device that communicates with an external location system todetermine location data that represents the location of the portablereading device and an RFID tag read by the portable reading device. 23.The method of claim 22, further comprising acts of: receiving thelocation data into the location subsystem; and transmitting the locationdata to a remote location for storage in response to reading the RFIDtag.
 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising acts of: receivingthe location data into the location subsystem; and transmitting thelocation data and tag data to a remote location for storage as sets ofdata at a time other than when the RFID tag is read.
 25. The method ofclaim 22, further comprising an act of writing the location data to theRFID tag in response to reading the RFID tag.
 26. The method of claim22, further comprising an act of automatically switching from a firstlocation mode of the location subsystem to a second location mode of thelocation subsystem when the first location mode is inoperative.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the first location mode processes GPS dataand the second location mode processes indoor location information. 28.The method of claim 27, wherein the indoor location information isderived from one of a triangulation technology and a signal strengthmeasurement technology.
 29. The method of claim 22, further comprisingan act of automatically caching data related to objects associated thelocation data.
 30. The method of claim 22, further comprising acts of:automatically transmitting the location data and RFID tag data of theRFID tag to a PLC; and processing the location data and PLC data todetermine new location data associated with a new location of the RFIDtag.
 31. A portable RFID reader, comprising: means for reading RFID dataof an RFID tag; and means for interfacing to a remote geographiclocation system; means for processing location data received from theremote geographic location system; and means for transmitting the RFIDdata and the location data for storage.
 32. The reader of claim 31,further comprising means for writing to the RFID tag.
 33. The reader ofclaim 31, wherein the remote geographic location system performstriangulation to generate the location data.
 34. The reader of claim 31,wherein the remote geographic location system performs signal strengthanalysis to generate the location data.